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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by grendel on September 9, 2001, at 11:57:03
I've been taking Wellbutrin for a week or so, and the only real side effect I've encountered is insomnia. Over the last few days, though, I've had a crushing depression - just about as bad as it gets. This is not typical for me. Is this something to just plow through, or does this mean the drug and I are incompatible?
Posted by Mitch on September 9, 2001, at 13:13:38
In reply to Depression from Wellbutrin?, posted by grendel on September 9, 2001, at 11:57:03
> I've been taking Wellbutrin for a week or so, and the only real side effect I've encountered is insomnia. Over the last few days, though, I've had a crushing depression - just about as bad as it gets. This is not typical for me. Is this something to just plow through, or does this mean the drug and I are incompatible?
What other meds are you taking? Wellbutrin acts as much like a stimulant as an antidepressant. Some people crash and get depressed on stims. It's possible it may not be the best match for you, but also you could be fatigued from the insomnia it has caused. You might try adding something at bedtime so you can sleep better or taking your last dose of WB earlier in the day so it doesn't keep you up.
Posted by grendel on September 9, 2001, at 14:14:13
In reply to Re: Depression from Wellbutrin? » grendel, posted by Mitch on September 9, 2001, at 13:13:38
> > I've been taking Wellbutrin for a week or so, and the only real side effect I've encountered is insomnia. Over the last few days, though, I've had a crushing depression - just about as bad as it gets. This is not typical for me. Is this something to just plow through, or does this mean the drug and I are incompatible?
>
> What other meds are you taking? Wellbutrin acts as much like a stimulant as an antidepressant. Some people crash and get depressed on stims. It's possible it may not be the best match for you, but also you could be fatigued from the insomnia it has caused. You might try adding something at bedtime so you can sleep better or taking your last dose of WB earlier in the day so it doesn't keep you up.No other meds. Other stimulating meds have worked well for me, but in addition to giving me energy and alleviating depression they induced terrible insomnia. I had to basically knock myself out with several klonopin to get any sleep at all.
The Wellbutrin is no different - the last 150mg dose I took was yesterday at 3pm, and I could hardly sleep at all last night. I still feel a little stimulant action from the Wellbutrin I took.
Posted by PaintItBlack on September 9, 2001, at 14:38:52
In reply to Depression from Wellbutrin?, posted by grendel on September 9, 2001, at 11:57:03
> I've been taking Wellbutrin for a week or so, and the only real side effect I've encountered is insomnia. Over the last few days, though, I've had a crushing depression - just about as bad as it gets. This is not typical for me. Is this something to just plow through, or does this mean the drug and I are incompatible?
Some people have paradoxical reactions to certain ADs. When I tried Parnate, my depression sank to new depths, and more so with each dose increase. There was an obvious relationship, and when suicidal ideation was nearly constant, I stopped it. My mood immediately improved to my "normal" level of depression.
I'm starting WB, and just reached 300 mg. It's really doing an insomnia number on me, but my pdoc gave me sleeping meds so I do get adequate sleep. You might want to ask your doc for something to help you through the first few weeks.
I know that when I'm not getting enough sleep over several days, I feel so tired that I might as well be depressed. Only you can tell if your depression is from the fatigue, just the natural cycle, or caused by WB. But if you're sure it's being worsened by WB, you need to taper off it. (Probably a good idea to keep your doc in the picture. They like to feel necessary.)
Paint It Black
Posted by sl on September 9, 2001, at 14:59:05
In reply to Re: Depression from Wellbutrin? » grendel, posted by Mitch on September 9, 2001, at 13:13:38
> What other meds are you taking? Wellbutrin acts as much like a stimulant as an antidepressant. Some people crash and get depressed on stims. It's possible it may not be the best match for you, but also you could be fatigued from the insomnia it has caused. You might try adding something at bedtime so you can sleep better or taking your last dose of WB earlier in the day so it doesn't keep you up.
Or you could try medicating yourself a night or three to see what you feel like on Wb with enuf sleep, and then if you decide the effects are worth it you can try immediate release. I'm finding immediate release doesn't cause NEAR the insomnia that sustained-release did, and it works better on my depression. :)
By the way, if your doc refuses to give you stuff to make you sleep (like mine did), take one or two regular benadryl 45 min before bed. :)sl
Posted by Mitch on September 9, 2001, at 15:10:24
In reply to Re: Depression from Wellbutrin?, posted by grendel on September 9, 2001, at 14:14:13
> > > I've been taking Wellbutrin for a week or so, and the only real side effect I've encountered is insomnia. Over the last few days, though, I've had a crushing depression - just about as bad as it gets. This is not typical for me. Is this something to just plow through, or does this mean the drug and I are incompatible?
> >
> > What other meds are you taking? Wellbutrin acts as much like a stimulant as an antidepressant. Some people crash and get depressed on stims. It's possible it may not be the best match for you, but also you could be fatigued from the insomnia it has caused. You might try adding something at bedtime so you can sleep better or taking your last dose of WB earlier in the day so it doesn't keep you up.
>
> No other meds. Other stimulating meds have worked well for me, but in addition to giving me energy and alleviating depression they induced terrible insomnia. I had to basically knock myself out with several klonopin to get any sleep at all.
> The Wellbutrin is no different - the last 150mg dose I took was yesterday at 3pm, and I could hardly sleep at all last night. I still feel a little stimulant action from the Wellbutrin I took.You might ask your doctor about adding a 2nd AD to the Wellbutrin that will "knock you out" at bedtime. Maybe 7.5mg of Remeron at bedtime with the Wellbutrin in the day could get you to sleep and team-up with the WB to help get your depression under control.
Posted by Neal on September 9, 2001, at 15:26:31
In reply to Depression from Wellbutrin?, posted by grendel on September 9, 2001, at 11:57:03
I agree with Mitch. Remeron 7.5 is a good adjunct to Well. You might want to give the Well a little more time to kick in as an AD. And the side effects may lessen over time
Posted by allisonm on September 9, 2001, at 19:36:39
In reply to Depression from Wellbutrin?, posted by grendel on September 9, 2001, at 11:57:03
Could your depression be coming from lack of sleep? If you drink caffeinated beverages, cut down on them or eliminate them altogether. This alone may help your sleep. Otherwise, Remeron, Serzone, or neurontin at night might help. Ask your doctor.
I've been on Remeron and Wellbutrin, Wellbutrin and Remeron, Wellbutrin and Neurontin, Wellbutrin with Celexa, Wellbutrin and Serzone, Serzone and Wellbutrin. Good luck.
Allisonm
> I've been taking Wellbutrin for a week or so, and the only real side effect I've encountered is insomnia. Over the last few days, though, I've had a crushing depression - just about as bad as it gets. This is not typical for me. Is this something to just plow through, or does this mean the drug and I are incompatible?
This is the end of the thread.
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